Issues, challenges and prospects of application and implementation of Geographic Information System in Malaysia: An observation

The Geographic Information System (GIS) is experiencing exponential growth. It is also depicting some exciting prospects and implications. This paper overviews the development and implementation of the GIS application in Malaysia with special reference to some of the issues and challenges currently encountered in the country. The main problems highlighted include the lack of discrimination in identifying the different needs of policy makers, implementors and managers as consumers of the GIS; the relative inability in ascertaining the suitability and capability of the GIS application required; the relative inability in estimating the entire costs of the relevant GIS application and implementation; the absence of pilot studies for GIS implementation; the dependence on conventional EDP personnel lacking in GIS expertise; and the non-maintenance of GIS technology transfer process through sustained and on-going technical training. In conclusion, all relevant authorities and agencies at the federal and state levels should work together to strengthen the GIS so that its implementation can be executed comprehensively in Malaysia.